Baby Care Plan and Schedule

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We escaped for a quick weekend trip and I left this handy baby care guide behind to make sure our 10-month-old was properly managed...

Morning*

*Note: Morning here refers to the period from when Olivia wakes for the last time, which will be at 6:37-ish a.m., and noon or something. Procedures for earlier morning hours are covered below in Night.

Upon waking, Olivia likes to be cuddled briefly before proceeding to breakfast. Breakfast will be taken in her high chair and should consist of one or more of the following.

  • Diced fruit (provided in containers, drained, arranged haphazardly on tray for self-feeding or spooned into mouth)
  • Sliced bananas (fresh, provided, finger or spoon fed)
  • Apple sauce (provided, spoon fed)
  • Cheerios (provided, scattered on tray)
  • Whatever else (not provided)

After breakfast, Olivia usually undertakes unstructured play for one to two hours. Activities she enjoys include crawling, pulling up on furniture, and getting things she’s not supposed to have. Naptime follows unstructured play time. You’ll know it’s naptime when Olivia starts crying randomly. However, sometimes she doesn’t show any signs so you can just force it whenever.

Nap time nutrition = approximately 8 ounces of formula

Gentle rocking during bottling is preferred. Presence of rabbit blankie is helpful. Wait several minutes after deep sleep before attempting to put down. Lay down on side or stomach. Nap should last between 15 minutes and 2 hours.

Afternoon

Lunch immediately follows naptime and is the same in structure and presentation as breakfast. Food options include any of the following. Vegetables should be served first unless you don’t want to.

  • Any breakfast foods (see above)
  • Peas and carrots (provided in containers, drained, arranged haphazardly on tray for self-feeding or spooned into mouth)
  • Whatever else (not provided, she will eat most anything if it’s cut small enough and not too hard)

After lunch, just try to survive until dinner time. She may or may not nap around 3 or 4. Either way, 8-ounce bottle should be provided at some point.

Evening

For dinner, see lunch and/or breakfast or just skip it. If she’s really dirty, she can have a bath. Otherwise, just change into pajamas. Size 5 diapers tend to provide better nighttime coverage. Bedtime is usually around 8:30-9:00 depending on the afternoon nap or lack thereof. Could also be an hour earlier or later.

Bedtime nutrition = approximately 8 ounces of formula (sometimes more if the fight persists)

Again, gentle rocking with rabbit blankie works best, but not that well, really. Strap in and prepare for battle. When fully asleep, lay her down on side or stomach.

Night

Upon waking, repeat bedtime feeding routine as required. You can wait a few minutes after she cries out to see if she’ll go back to sleep, but she probably won’t. Have fun!